BEVERLY HILLS (CNS) – Former world champion boxer Ryan Garcia was facing a misdemeanor vandalism charge Thursday for allegedly damaging a room and hallway at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotel.
Garcia, 25, was charged with a single misdemeanor count of vandalism causing $400 or more in damage, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The Porter Ranch resident was arrested around 5:15 p.m. June 8, when police were dispatched to the hotel in response to a report of an “intoxicated person,” according to Lt. Andrew Meyers of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
Investigators determined that Garcia was a guest at the hotel and had damaged a hotel room and part of a hallway, Meyers said.
After he was booked at the BHPD jail, police said the 15-time national amateur champion complained of a medical issue and was taken to Cedars- Sinai Medical Center for evaluation.
“I feel like I’m Ryan Spears. Aka Britney Spears,” Garcia posted on X the morning after his arrest. “This sucks 🙁 I never hurt anyone. I’ve only ever loved everyone prayed for people. And try to make a change in this cruel world. I love you Christ Jesus Amen.”
Garcia is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 7 at the Airport Branch Courthouse. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.
“While we are grateful no injuries were reported in this incident, reckless behavior that damages property shows a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “Our office will work to ensure the responsible individual is held accountable.”
Garcia, who was born in Victorville, is 25-1 in his professional career with 20 knockouts. He was the World Boxing Council interim lightweight champion from Jan. 2-May 24, 2021, winning the title when he stopped Luke Campbell in the seventh round, but was stripped of it after withdrawing from a planned title defense against former World Boxing Association super featherweight champion Javier Fortuna in order to “manage his health and well being.”
Garcia suffered his only defeat in February 2023, losing by TKO to WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.
His April 20 upset victory over World Boxing Council super lightweight champion Devin Haney was marred when Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine the day before and the day of the fight, according to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. Garcia’s attorneys said he was a victim of “supplement contamination.”
The Haney bout was not a title fight because Garcia failed to make the fight’s 140-pound limit.
“Ryan has been open about his struggles with mental health over the years, and at this time he is dealing with an immense emotional burden,” his attorney Darin Chavez said in a statement provided to ESPN. “The support and understanding from fans and the public are crucial as he navigates these personal challenges. We are working diligently to provide Ryan with the resources he needs.”
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